Across the state, we're all connected | Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

May 18, 2013

Written by

Christopher D. Kirkpatrick

Detroit Free Press Business Editor

Traveling around Michigan this year, I was struck over and over by the connectivity of our diverse business communities – and it’s with this statewide sensibility that we are launching our new “Michigan Business” Sunday section today.

It’s replete with features providing sophisticated statewide news. Our new “Building Michigan” page offers development news about metro Detroit and around the state. Check our feature on Page 2B about the Whole Foods development project in Midtown Detroit and the story about the surge in venture capital spending across the state. Our new “Work Smart” page offers perspectives and advice from business leaders and entrepreneurs about how to live a better business life, start your own business or get that promotion. We have more news of business leaders on the move and compile a weekly business calendar of events so you know who’s in town speaking and where you might want to network. You’ll still get our same rich coverage of automotive news, and our commitment to metro Detroit will not waver.

In addition, we’ve changed our approach to stock listings, providing a concise roundup of select Michigan and U.S. stocks, plus charts of the weekly winners and laggards – Wall Street information you can truly use. The Free Press has provided extensive stock listings for decades, but the world has changed and that information can be found at any time on the Web.

On a February trip to Grand Rapids, I sat across from two business leaders who said their city’s reputation suffers when Detroit is viewed by out-of-state investors or businesses as failing and dangerous. Conversely, those who see Detroit as a burgeoning tech hub, reinventing its downtown and creating new jobs, also notice the massive redevelopment that has transformed Grand Rapids, and the jobs created there and in communities throughout Michigan. They see the investment opportunities.

Those same people notice we are near the top in international exports, among all 50 states, and that we have loads of fresh water, an unrivaled transportation system, tons of skilled labor and a massive international border teeming with business opportunities. They start to move here. We’re seeing it happen, and the Free Press Business section will be there to tell you, no matter where you live in the state, how you can take part.